Less than 350 if possible.

I have two Kowa spotting scopes, and bought both of them used for cheap. One a compact 20x that's better than 45x or 60x I've owned. The other a 25x angle eyepiece that's a full size that I like slightly better. Both were well under $100 each, and the 20x was only $20.
Never bought a new spotting scope, as there's never been a shortage of quality used ones around for sale cheaper.

burntwater wrote on Jul 12^th, 2021 at 3:34pm:


I don't think we deserved that scolding.  How dare you sir! 

So I'll continue. My old shooting pardner Chuck purchased the best spotting scope money could buy. Thousands of dollars for his new scope. He cussed it just as much as all the other scopes he owned. Throwing money at a problem is not always a solution. Another old story, dang! 

So what kind of advice would you like us to give?  

I can't wait to get that NOS Focal spotting scope. Still in the original box with the tripod.  I agree with Vall, yes there are many good used spotting scopes to be had at a bargain.   

Okay, what advice should we give?

I always check out the Sniper's Hide Forum.  Those guys want the latest technology and buy higher-end stuff, wanting to move fast so they readily negotiate.  I searched back more than a year to find safe-queens someone didn't move.  Got a nice Vortex 20-60X85 spotting scope and   a Razor 4.5-25x56 because they went from MOA to Mrad.

Joe,
I have an old Focal spotting scope that I use for indoor archery, it worked exceptionally well there, but the OP says he's using it for BPCR Silly's, for the 200 yard ram in 22 it's right at the edge if you have good eyes, not so good for old eyes.  If he's shooting the 500m ram with CF - the 20x Focal is tough even with good, young eyes.     If he decides that he wants to shoot BPTR and poke holes in paper, by the best glass you can get, you'll never regret it.

ThTx
It's not the best choice, as with anything, more $$ and good research can get you better results.  From the old Focal, I graduated to a 20-60x by 80mm Leupold that got me by for several years, they run in the $350 - $500 range -similar to this one on eBay - item # 324678946253
I moved on to a Vortex because it had an MOA grid in it, the glass is slightly better than my Leupold, but for seeing when it really matters there are better.  If you stay in the game very long you will probably move on to the better ones yet.  Don't ask how I know...  Low light or difficult conditions really change the game.
Aging isn't kind to one's vision and good glass like Leica and Swarovski come with a substantial price tag.   Cost makes one pucker and clench but the view is awesome and it keeps old farts in the game.
Just my 2¢

You know that these days with computer designed and constructed equipment so common and multi coated lenses the norm, it's possible that, barring lucking in to a bargain basement Kowa, something like a Konus 80 or 100 which sell for less than $240 new would be entirely adequate in the less than $350 field for beginning use. Or, you could just shoot with someone who has a nice scope;-)

In a perfect buyers world using high tech computerized grinding and coatings the price should come down. Kind of like banking charges once they went from hand to computer processing all those charges related to personnel   should go away right. WRONG. Quality optical glass suitable for grinding to truly exact specs is expensive and not getting any cheaper. Schott and a couple of Japanese makers have the market sewed up like Tel Aviv has diamonds. Coatings do not correct inferior glass they just make it easier to use. The problem, or blessing, is that 99% of the optical users are incapable of discerning really high quality optical resolution. Test equipment can but most human eyes can’t.  So maybe we don’t need such precise quality ?  Think wine testers.